Environmental Pollution Studies Laboratory

The world is entering an era of "global water bankruptcy" with rivers, lakes and aquifers depleting faster than nature can replenish them, a United Nations research institute said on Tuesday.

Read more:
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/973574/un-report-declares-global-state-of-water-bankruptcy/story/

LOOK: The first nanosatellite, Perpetual Satellite-1 of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD), has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) through Japan’s spacecraft HTV-X1, on October 30, 2025, at 7:10 p.m. (Philippine Time).

The goal of the satellite is to gather Earth imaging data for applications such as marine traffic monitoring, greenhouse gas tracking, and supporting Project DAGAT (Deploying Acoustic Guardians Advanced Tsunami Detection) for tsunami and storm surge detection.

Perpetual Satellite-1 also aims to test equipment like commercial off-the-shelf GPS (COTS GPS) and the Anisotropic Magneto Resistance Magnetometer (AMR-MM), which assist in navigation. All collected data will be transmitted to the PERPSAT-1 Ground Station at the Guadalupe Moran Building (formerly the College of International Hospitality Management Building).

"This is a proud moment for the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA as we reach new heights in space technology. It is our institution’s contribution to the development of science and technology in the country," said Dr. Anthony Jose Moran Tamayo, UPHSD President.

The satellite was developed in collaboration with the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia, King Mongkut's University of Technology in Thailand, and Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan.

| via Julie Anne Abregunda, The Perpetualite
Sources: ALTA-Innovations Hub "ALTA-iHuB", GMA Network

Laguna de Bay: The Volcano Lake #LagunaDeBay #PhilippinesGeography #VolcanoLake #UnbelievableFacts

Dr. Mylene Cayetano and Dr. Mayzonee Ligaray of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), University of the Philippines Diliman, joined the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Cainta LGU, and partner institutions in reaffirming their commitment to the protection and rehabilitation of the Laguna de Bay watershed during the 26th Abot-Kamay para sa Laguna de Bay - Mission in Action: Solid Waste Recovery, held on October 16, 2025, in Barangay San Juan, Cainta, Rizal.

Information and photos from the Laguna Lake Development Authority page. Full story linked in the comments.

𝐄𝐌𝐁 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐎𝐂 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), through its Environmental Research and Laboratory Services Division (ERLSD) and Air Quality Management Section (AQMS), successfully facilitated a Special Workshop on the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Project of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) on September 1, 2025, via Zoom. The virtual event brought together government officials, academic researchers, and international experts to enhance the country's air quality management strategies and improve the implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749).

The workshop served as a critical platform to detail the collaborative efforts between the EMB and representatives from the University of the Philippines-Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP-IESM) to establish efficient sampling methodologies. These efforts are designed to be translated into reasonable standards that will aid in achieving better air quality across the country. Discussions also focused on assessing the achievements and future directions for the effective implementation of the Clean Air Act.Experts from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), including Dr. Andrey Khlystov, Dr. Mike Kleeman, and Dr. Chris Cappa, provided valuable insights on VOCs, their measurement methodologies, and their critical role in ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation. These discussions were complemented by presentations from local experts, with EMB-AQMS Chief Engr. Jundy T. Del Socorro providing an overview of the current state of air quality in the Philippines and Dr. Mylene Cayetano of UP-IESM sharing her expertise on Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (BTX) data from the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) system.

The workshop concluded with group discussions and recommendations for VOC monitoring and standards in the Philippines, covering methodology, ambient guideline values, and point source emission standards. In his closing remarks, Engr. Del Socorro expressed gratitude to all participants for their contributions and highlighted the workshop's outcomes, emphasizing how the refined sampling and analysis methodologies will be instrumental in updating and improving policies for the benefit of the nation's environment and public health.

|| Air quality in the Philippines continues to improve, reports DENR-EMB 🍃

The DENR-EMB Central Office reports a significant drop in air pollutants in 2024, driven by stricter emission standards, industrial monitoring, and enhanced air quality systems.

Metro Manila saw PM10 levels decrease by 17.4% and PM2.5 by 37.6% compared to 2016, while national averages also improved, staying well within guideline values. These gains reflect sustained measures under the Philippine Clean Air Act and ongoing initiatives to transition to Euro V standards.

Cleaner air means healthier communities—and the work to protect public health and the environment continues.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/3zxyppu5